Thermal Energy Harvesting in Hand-Powered Dispensing Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dispensing systems rely on power sources like batteries or solar panels, which increase material and manufacturing costs, and do not effectively utilize thermal energy harvested from users.
Innovation Solution
A thermal scavenging structure is integrated into the dispensing system to collect thermal energy from users and transform it into electrical energy, which powers the system, either for immediate use or storage, using thermoelectric generators and memory materials to modify the dispenser nozzle shape for efficient material dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional power sources (batteries or solar panels) are used in dispensing systems, then the system can operate reliably, but material and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing system harvests thermal energy from the user's hand during normal operation to generate electrical power, making the system self-powered without requiring external batteries or solar panels. The thermal scavenging structure converts ambient thermal energy into usable electrical energy, allowing the system to serve itself by utilizing energy already present in the operating environment.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal scavenging structure acts as an intermediary between the thermal energy in the user's hand and the electrical components of the dispensing system. This intermediary device (thermoelectric generator) converts thermal energy into electrical energy, bridging the gap between ambient heat and the electrical power needed for system operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If thermal energy is harvested from users to power the dispensing system, then power source costs are reduced, but the system complexity increases due to additional thermal scavenging devices
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal scavenging structure serves multiple functions: it acts as a thermal-to-electrical energy converter, provides a mounting structure for the thermoelectric generator, and integrates with the existing dispensing system housing. By combining multiple functions into a single integrated component, the system avoids adding excessive complexity while achieving cost savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the thermal scavenging function with the existing dispensing system structure. The thermal scavenging devices are mounted on the housing and work in conjunction with existing components, merging the new energy harvesting functionality with the established system architecture rather than adding completely separate systems.
3Use of energy by moving object
If multiple thermal scavenging devices are mounted at different positions, then thermal energy collection efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements thermal scavenging at multiple positions (front, back, top, bottom of the housing) to maximize energy collection. By placing thermal scavenging devices at all available surfaces that contact the user's hand, the system captures thermal energy from multiple directions simultaneously, ensuring sufficient power generation even if individual devices produce limited energy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the reliance on traditional power sources, lowers costs, and enables hands-free and battery-free operation by harnessing thermal energy for dispensing systems, enhancing their efficiency and sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
A first thermal scavenging device may be mounted onto a front housing portion of the dispensing system, such that thermal energy is collected from a body of the user
Implementation Method 2
The dispenser nozzle may comprise a material (e.g., a memory material) that may substantially return to an original shape once the dispenser nozzle is no longer subjected to the thermal energy
Data Source
AI summary
Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for harvesting thermal energy for utilization by a dispensing system are provided herein. The dispensing system may comprise one or more thermal scavenging devices configured to collect thermal energy from a user. For example, a first thermal scavenging device, coupled to a top housing portion of the dispensing system, may collect thermal energy from a palm of a user hand; a second thermal scavenging device, coupled to a bottom housing portion of the dispensing system, may collect thermal energy from a top portion of the user hand; and/or other thermal scavenging devices may be operatively coupled to the dispensing system. In this way, the collected thermal energy is transformed into electrical energy for powering the dispensing system (e.g., powering a current dispense event, stored for a subsequent dispense event, validation of a refill container, detection of a user, etc.).